Breast Milk Might Save Lives: A Personal Topic and Groundbreaking Research

As a mama who breastfed both my kiddos and went through my own lumpectomy journey in 2022 (I have a totally clean bill of health now—yayyyy!), breast cancer prevention and early detection is deeply personal for me. I recently read about an amazing connection between breastfeeding and breast cancer detection that I wanted to share with you! Recent research from the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) offers a groundbreaking approach that underscores the life-saving potential of breast milk.

The Breakthrough Study

Researchers at VHIO, led by Dr. Cristina Saura and Dr. Ana Vivancos, discovered that breast milk from breast cancer patients contains circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). This ctDNA can be detected through liquid biopsy in breast milk, potentially serving as a tool for early diagnosis of breast cancer during the postpartum period. The findings were published in Cancer Discovery.

And no worries for mamas concerned about passing breast cancer to their babies; that is not what is happening here! Babies are unaffected by the ctDNA, but rather, the detection of ctDNA can lead to earlier diagnosis for moms.

Key Findings

• Breast Milk as a Diagnostic Tool: Breast milk contains sufficient ctDNA to be detected by liquid biopsy, identifying mutations present in tumors and potentially diagnosing breast cancer earlier than conventional methods.
• Detection Techniques: Using NGS and ddPCR methods, ctDNA was detectable in the breast milk of 13 out of 15 breast cancer patients but only in the blood of one patient.

The Future of Early Detection

The next steps involve expanding the study to thousands of women worldwide to confirm the effectiveness of using breast milk as a liquid biopsy tool for early breast cancer detection.

Implications for Screening

• Non-Invasive Screening: Routine collection of breast milk samples for cancer screening could become standard practice, offering a simple and effective way to monitor for early signs of breast cancer.
• Targeted Populations: The study includes women who became pregnant at 40 years or older or who carry high-risk mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, RAD51C/D).

A Call to Action

As someone who benefitted greatly from early detection, I'm really excited about breast milk's potential to aid in early cancer detection—breast milk is SO magical!

Breast milk, known for its benefits for babies, now holds promise as a tool for early cancer detection, potentially saving mothers' lives. Let’s support advancements in early detection methods to ensure a healthier future for all.

Read more about this groundbreaking study here.

... and don't forget to pre-order your copy of Sarah's forthcoming book, Go Ask Your Mothers: One Simple Step for Managers to Support Working Moms for Team Success!